BYU coach Dave Rose had surgery to remove 'cancerous spots'

Sep. 10, 2013
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Brigham Young Cougars coach Dave Rose coaching on the sidelines against the Iona Gaels during the first round of the 2012 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Dayton Arena. / Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports

by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

by Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY Sports

Brigham Young coach Dave Rose underwent surgery at Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City to remove "cancerous spots" that were found during a routine cancer screening, the school announced Monday night.

Doctors expect Rose "to make a full recovery" and are optimistic he will be healthy by the time college basketball practice starts on Oct. 7.

Rose previously fought off a rare form of pancreatic cancer that almost took his life back in June of 2009 when he had an emergency hospitalization as a result of internal bleeding. It was revealed that Rose had pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cancer, which required the removal of his spleen and part of his pancreas.

Rose, now in his ninth season with BYU, has steered the Cougars to six NCAA tournament appearances and seven consecutive seasons with 24 or more wins.

BYU finished last season with a 24-12 record, bowing out in the NIT semifinals. Returning potential All-American Tyler Haws, the Cougars enter 2013-14 in position to challenge Gonzaga for the WCC regular-season title as well as be in the mix for an NCAA tournament bid.

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Scott Gleeson, a national college basketball writer/producer for USA TODAY Sports, is on Twitter @ScottMGleeson.